Several key principles underpin cohesion policy:
This principle has three aspects::
Cohesion policy does not fund individual projects. Instead, it funds multi-annual national programmes aligned on EU objectives and priorities.
For more information on how programming works, see regional policy stages: step-by-step.
Each programme is developped through a collective process involving authorities at European, regional and local level, social partners and organisations from civil society.
This partnership applies to all stages of the programming process, from design, through management and implementation to monitoring and evaluation.
This approach help ensure that action is adapted to local and regional needs and priorities.